Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lashed out at the widespread violence by the followers of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, saying violence in the name of faith won’t be tolerated and asserted that the guilty would not be spared and “everybody will have to bow before the law.”
In his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Modi said anybody taking the law in their hand would not be tolerated.
“I had said it from the Red Fort (in Independence Day speech) that in the name of faith, violence will not be tolerated. Whether the faith is religious, political or in favour of an individual or a tradition, nobody has the right to take the law into their own hands in the name of faith,” the Prime Minister declared.
He said the Constitution provides scope for redressal of all kinds of grievances.
“At a time, when the country is in the mode of celebrating festivals, news of violence from any part is naturally a matter of concern,” the Prime Minister said, clearly referring to the mayhem created by the followers of Ram Rahim in Haryana.
“This is the country of lord Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi. This is the country of Sardar Patel, who devoted his life for unity,” he said.
“I want to assure the country that no country, no Government can tolerate anybody taking the law into their hands, whether it is an individual or a group. Everybody will have to bow before the law. The country’s law will determine accountability and the guilty will be punished,” he asserted.
While deprecating violence after the conviction of the Dera chief, Modi hailed the Muslim organisation Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind, saying its volunteers had recently cleaned 22 temples and two mosques affected by floods in Gujarat, setting a “fine” and “inspiring” example of unity.
He noted that India is a land of diversities, which is not limited to cuisine, lifestyle and attire but can be seen in every walk of life.
“Gujarat saw devastating floods recently. Many people lost their lives. When the waters receded, there was so much filth everywhere. That is when, in Dhanera in the Banaskantha district of Gujarat, volunteers of Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind cleaned 22 affected temples and two mosques in a phased manner,” he Modi.
He said the Jamiat volunteers came together and toiled collectively.
“The volunteers of Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind set a fine, inspiring example of unity for cleanliness. If this committed effort towards cleanliness become inherent to us, our country will certainly take our nation to greater heights,” the Prime Minister stressed.
In his 30-minute broadcast, he pointed out that India has a rich cultural heritage, spanning thousands of years, and in this context, talked about the festivals which are replete with diversity.
He said Indian festivals follow the almanac of nature and there is a direct connect with nature. “Many of our festivals are linked straightaway with farmers and fishermen.”
He mentioned festivals like Samvatsari that was celebrated by the Jain community Saturday, as also Ganesh Chaturthi, Onam, Navaratri in Gujarat, Durga Puja in Bengal and Eid-ul-Zuha. He extended his greetings to the nation regarding these occasions.
“The festival of Samvatsari is symbolic of forgiveness, non-violence and brotherhood,” Modi said.
“”Kshama Virasya Bhushanam,” that is, forgiveness is the adornment of the brave. The one who forgives is valiant. And Mahatma Gandhi always said, that forgiveness is the quality of great men,” Modi said.
He also quoted Shakespeare’s play The Merchant of Venice, saying it explained the importance of forgiveness as it spoke about “Mercy is twice blest, it blesseth him that gives and him that takes”. It means the forgiver and the forgiven both stand to receive divine blessing.
Referring to Ganesh Chaturthi, he said this mega festival stands for unity, equality, integrity and honesty. “My heartiest greetings to all of you on the occasion of Ganeshotsav,” Modi said.
Onam, which is mainly celebrated in Kerala, showcases the rich cultural heritage of the State and gives the message of love and harmony, awakens new hopes and aspirations, and gives new confidence to the people, he said. Festivals like Navaratri in Gujarat and Durga Puja in Bengal are tremendous tourist attractions, he added.
“In this series of festivals, Eid-ul-Zuha will be celebrated in a few days from now. Heartiest felicitations and best wishes to all countrymen on the occasion of Eid-ul-Zuha,” the Prime Minister said.
He said festivals are symbols of faith and belief and in the ‘New India’, “we should transform them into symbols of cleanliness as well.”